Wireless communication device with replaceable battery and prepaid calling time

• US 5,963,859 A
• Filed: 07/18/1997
• Issued: 10/05/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Polaroid Corporation (PLR IP Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Keating, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Orgad, Edan
• Application Number:
  US08/896,619
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 455/405, 455/406, 455/407, 455/408, 455/409, 455/90, 455/573, 455/550, 455/403, 455/343, 455/38.3, 455/410, 455/411, 455/38.4, 379/114, 379/143, 379/144, 379/111, 379/112, 379/113, 379/115
• US Class Current: 455/405
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/00 Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems using a coded card to authorise calls from a telephone set H04M1/675
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A wireless communication device is provided which is capable of interfacing with a base station of a service provider and intended for occasional use without requiring a subscription with the service provider. The device uses a non-rechargeable replaceable power source with memory means non-detachably secured to and integral with said power source comprising information code for uniquely identifying said power means and a prepaid calling time period. After the prepaid calling time period of the wireless communication device is exhausted, the power source can be exchanged for a different power source having a new prepaid calling time period.

Claims

1. A wireless communication device capable of interfacing with a wireless telephone network of a service provider without requiring a subscription with the service provider, the wireless communication device comprising:

communication means for transmitting information of intelligence to and receiving such information from the wireless telephone network; and

removable power means adapted to be connected to said wireless communication device for providing electrical power to said communication means, said power means comprising;

a battery;

memory means non-detachably secured to and integral with said battery and comprising information code for uniquely identifying said power means and a prepaid calling time period;

wherein the wireless communication device can interface with the wireless telephone network as long as the accumulated calling time is less than the prepaid calling time period, whereafter the wireless communication device can be reused after connecting new removable power means thereto.

2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein said information code is different from a valid telephone number of a public telephone network.

3. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein said battery is not rechargeable.

4. The wireless communication device of claim 3, wherein said battery is capable of providing power to said communication means for a time period which is not significantly longer than the duration of the prepaid calling time period.

5. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the service provider is selected when the power means is purchased.

6. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the memory means further comprises updating means for tracking and updating the accumulated calling time without requiring communication with the service provider.

7. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the power means further comprises switching means connected in series with the battery and activated by said memory means for disconnecting the power to said communication means when the accumulated calling time exceeds the prepaid calling time period.

8. The wireless communication device of claim 1 further comprising a backup battery for supplying electrical power to said communication means for allowing the wireless communication device to remain connected to the wireless telephone network for a certain period of time during which time the power source in the wireless communication device can be exchanged for a different power source having a new prepaid calling time period.

9. A method for allowing a user to initiate a radio telephone call from a wireless communication device capable of interfacing with a wireless telephone network of a service provider without requiring a subscription with the service provider, said wireless communication device adapted to receive electrical power from removable power means which include a battery and memory means for storing a prepaid calling time period, the method comprising the steps of:

a) establishing a call connection to the wireless network and allowing said call connection to continue until the accumulated calling time exceeds the prepaid calling time period;

b) alerting the user when the accumulated calling time exceeds the prepaid calling time period; and

c) prompting the user to insert new power means which includes a new prepaid calling time period, in order to continue said connected call or to establish a new call connection.